Kuznetsova wins opener at Indian Wells

Svetlana Kuznetsova, of Russia, returns a shot to Andrea Hlavackova, of the Czech Republic, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

/ AP

Svetlana Kuznetsova, of Russia, returns a shot to Andrea Hlavackova, of the Czech Republic, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Svetlana Kuznetsova, of Russia, returns a shot to Andrea Hlavackova, of the Czech Republic, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (/ AP)

The Associated Press

Frank Dancevic, of Canada, serves to Matthew Ebden, of Australia, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

/ AP

Frank Dancevic, of Canada, serves to Matthew Ebden, of Australia, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Frank Dancevic, of Canada, serves to Matthew Ebden, of Australia, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (/ AP)

Matthew Ebden, of Australia, returns a shot to Frank Dancevic, of Canada, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

/ AP

Matthew Ebden, of Australia, returns a shot to Frank Dancevic, of Canada, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Matthew Ebden, of Australia, returns a shot to Frank Dancevic, of Canada, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (/ AP)

Kuznetsova beat Andrea Hlavackova of the Czech Republic, 6-3, 6-1, in Wednesday's opening round of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Kuznetsova, twice a Grand Slam champion and two times a runner-up in this $10 million event, did not play following Wimbledon last season due to the injury and the former world No. 2 was ranked No. 85 on January 6. She is No. 46 now thanks in large part to quarterfinal showings at Sydney, Australia, and in the Australian Open and can continue her climb with a win over No. 18 Jelena Jankovic in the second round.

"I haven't played her for years and it's going to be a very interesting match," said Kuznetsova, a Russian who is living in Dubai. "I remember that her down-the-line backhand was quite good and normally her movement was good, but I haven't seen her play for a while, so we'll see how it goes.

"I'm happy to be back on the court, this is the main thing. Every day I just try the best I can and things are coming along pretty well. I feel really balanced within myself, which is important. I actually have my dog here in Indian Wells, which is great! I'm a happy person, I do my favorite job and we're here in this nice place with a lovely view and great weather. I think it's everything we need!"

Vania King, 24, started well by winning a first-set tiebreaker from Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain, but the Spanish Olympian rolled through the next two sets for a 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-1 win. Lauren Davis, a 19-year-old Floridian, was a 6-2, 6-0 loser to 21-year-old Simona Halep of Romania.

Opening day was a mixed bag for the Americans in action. Wild card Maria Sanchez, a former University of Southern California star who is working with Chris Evert, was a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Olga Puchkova of Russia and Mallory Burdette, a 22-year-old qualifier from Macon, Ga., toppled another American, 38-year-old Jill Craybas, 6-3, 6-1. Vania King, 24, started well by winning a first-set tiebreaker from Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain, but the Spanish Olympian rolled through the next two sets for a 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-1 win.